Pat Taylor
(1914 - 2000)
(1914 - 2000)
The son of a retired colonel, Patrick Mainwaring Taylor was born in Wetherby on July 26, 1914 but was brought up in France and was apprenticed to Albert Childs. He rode both on the Flat and over jumps, having his first ride at the age of just 13.
The son of a retired colonel, Patrick Mainwaring Taylor was born in Wetherby on July 26, 1914 but was brought up in France and was apprenticed to Albert Childs. He rode both on the Flat and over jumps, having his first ride at the age of just 13.
Turned down for war service, he worked in a munitions factory in Liverpool before returning to ride on the Flat from 1945 to 1947. He then rode over jumps for trainer Wilfred Lyde in 1948.
Turned down for war service, he worked in a munitions factory in Liverpool before returning to ride on the Flat from 1945 to 1947. He then rode over jumps for trainer Wilfred Lyde in 1948.
He took out his own trainer’s licence in 1949 and combined training with riding over hurdles for a few seasons.
He took out his own trainer’s licence in 1949 and combined training with riding over hurdles for a few seasons.
He rode seven winners in 1950/51 and nine in 1951/52. Six of those nine came courtesy of a hurdler named Hunza, whom Pat trained and rode to win five races within a fortnight in October 1951. They made it six wins on the bounce next time out at Haydock on December 1. Pat then rode Hunza in the 1952 Champion Hurdle, finishing twelfth behind Sir Ken.
He rode seven winners in 1950/51 and nine in 1951/52. Six of those nine came courtesy of a hurdler named Hunza, whom Pat trained and rode to win five races within a fortnight in October 1951. They made it six wins on the bounce next time out at Haydock on December 1. Pat then rode Hunza in the 1952 Champion Hurdle, finishing twelfth behind Sir Ken.
The last two wins of his riding career were gained on long-distance hurdler Olney Boy, who won a pair of three-mile hurdles at Leicester on January 9 and Windsor on February 28, 1952.
The last two wins of his riding career were gained on long-distance hurdler Olney Boy, who won a pair of three-mile hurdles at Leicester on January 9 and Windsor on February 28, 1952.
He continued to train successfully for more than 30 years. Curiously, the racing historian John Fairfax-Blakeborough always used to refer to him as Mainwaring-Taylor, and his parents, who owned horses, always used the hyphenated name.
He continued to train successfully for more than 30 years. Curiously, the racing historian John Fairfax-Blakeborough always used to refer to him as Mainwaring-Taylor, and his parents, who owned horses, always used the hyphenated name.
The best horse he trained was Tip The Wink, owned by Heathorns boss Michael Simmonds. John Francome steered him to victory in the valuable Wills Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in January 1975. Later, when put over fences, he went on to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in 1977, partnered that day by Dessie Hughes.
The best horse he trained was Tip The Wink, owned by Heathorns boss Michael Simmonds. John Francome steered him to victory in the valuable Wills Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in January 1975. Later, when put over fences, he went on to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in 1977, partnered that day by Dessie Hughes.
Pat Taylor retired from training in 1985. He died aged 85 on July 17, 2000.
Pat Taylor retired from training in 1985. He died aged 85 on July 17, 2000.